DA* upgrade this fall ?

Kunzite · 03-03-2018, 09:21 AM

So... you still believe that they'd use the highest grade sealing on the cheapest lenses, with the lowest grade sealing reserved for high-end lenses?

**Erictator** · 03-03-2018, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

So... you still believe that they'd use the highest grade sealing on the cheapest lenses, with the lowest grade sealing reserved for high-end lenses?

Nope, I didn't try to assign any logic to it whatsoever, because of the time-line of these lens releases, change of ownership, and the quirkyness of Pentax, I just accepted what I have as what it is.

I own both the DFA100WR and a DA*300, never gave the weather sealing aspect of the DA*300 much thought to be honest. If you ever spend much time with a DFA100WR, you could easily be fooled into thinking it is almost "Limited" build quality, so I don't think of it as a low grade cheapo lens.

While the DA*300 is crazy good optically, for all it's accolades on that, it could use a way better designed lens hood mount, and could learn something from the lowly DFA100WR about built in hoods...

Eric

Kunzite · 03-03-2018, 09:53 AM - **1 Like**

Sorry, I couldn't help it

But you can deduce the serious part of my answer: AW is their high grade weather sealing (used in lenses like the DA*s and D FA*s) while WR is their "lesser", drip-proof sealing used in less expensive products. The 18-50 is a WR lens, too.
And yes, they do say that WR is their "lesser" sealing, somewhere on their website (can't remember where though).

FantasticMrFox · 03-03-2018, 11:04 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Erictator

X

Originally posted by Kunzite

... somewhere on their website (can't remember where though).

https://www.ricoh.co.in/sites/www.ricoh.co.in/files/lens.pdf

"AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel. The next category of “all weather” PENTAX lenses is designated as WR or weather-resistant. These affordable lenses utilize a simplified weather-resistant construction, making it more dif cult for water to enter the lens and are designed to repel a light splash of water."

**Erictator** · 03-03-2018, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

https://www.ricoh.co.in/sites/www.ricoh.co.in/files/lens.pdf

"AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel. The next category of “all weather” PENTAX lenses is designated as WR or weather-resistant. These affordable lenses utilize a simplified weather-resistant construction, making it more dif cult for water to enter the lens and are designed to repel a light splash of water."

It's not like I didn't believe you guys, but thanks for finding it. All I was trying to convey was the lack of obvious tell tales on the DA*300 lens with the well hidden black o-ring.

To be fair, you have to admit, Pentax marketing sucks...

the words AW or any mention of weather or dust sealing for that matter is not mentioned at all places like here:

smc PENTAX-DA? 300mm F4 ED[IF] SDMfr

You would think it would be a headliner!

Look at that price! Now THAT is a headliner... Almost makes me want to buy a spare.

Eric

Cthulhugan · 03-03-2018, 12:08 PM

The release for the DA* 11-18 includes the text “This lens was developed as a ‘new-generation star lens’, which drastically reviewed internal standards in order to respond to future camera performance improvements”. Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”?

**jatrax** · 03-03-2018, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Cthulhugan

Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”?

Yes they are.

**clackers** · 03-03-2018, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

I know that image quality is really good. But, it's too heavy. I'd give up some reach to have something lite.

If you don't already have the 55-300, shame on you!

And so cheap.

robjmitchell · 03-03-2018, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by Cthulhugan

The release for the DA* 11-18 includes the text “This lens was developed as a ‘new-generation star lens’, which drastically reviewed internal standards in order to respond to future camera performance improvements”. Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”?

It’s referring to the new highly complex optical designs with ridulculosly small tolerances. Like the DFA* 70-200. So maybe the 16-50 could receive an updated design to make it better. At the moment the rumour is just about upgrading lens motors in certain lenses. They may make them KAF4 as well.

Cthulhugan · 03-03-2018, 08:47 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jatrax

Yes they are.

I phrased that very poorly. I’m wondering if they’ll do it all at once, like with the HD DA Limiteds, or one at a time. It is a rhetorical question, I know, anyone who knows can’t talk, but we can have fun speculating (like about a DA* HD 60-250/4 with revised exit pupil and coatings — I just bought the SMC version, which makes it all the more likely).

totsmuyco · 03-03-2018, 09:23 PM

It would be nice if they can extend the 60-250 to 300. A little more reach would be great.

**clackers** · 03-03-2018, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

It would be nice if they can extend the 60-250 to 300. A little more reach would be great.

No, it's already past 3x zoom, that would just make it worse optically.

Add on a 1.4 TC if you must, but even that affects IQ and focusing to a degree.

totsmuyco · 03-03-2018, 10:57 PM

3x the base would make image quality suffer. Hmmm I didn't know that. Thanks clackers.

**clackers** · 03-04-2018, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

3x the base would make image quality suffer. Hmmm I didn't know that. Thanks clackers.

The upcoming DA*11-18 is going to be very good. It's not even 2x the base.

totsmuyco · 03-04-2018, 04:53 AM

If I have some spare dinero, I'm considering that lens crackers. The problem would be if it's kAF4. I can't use it on my k-5II.

03-03-2018, 09:46 AM	#47
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,345	Originally posted by Kunzite So... you still believe that they'd use the highest grade sealing on the cheapest lenses, with the lowest grade sealing reserved for high-end lenses? Nope, I didn't try to assign any logic to it whatsoever, because of the time-line of these lens releases, change of ownership, and the quirkyness of Pentax, I just accepted what I have as what it is. I own both the DFA100WR and a DA300, never gave the weather sealing aspect of the DA300 much thought to be honest. If you ever spend much time with a DFA100WR, you could easily be fooled into thinking it is almost "Limited" build quality, so I don't think of it as a low grade cheapo lens. While the DA300 is crazy good optically, for all it's accolades on that, it could use a way better designed lens hood mount, and could learn something from the lowly DFA100WR about built in hoods... Eric Last edited by Erictator; 03-03-2018 at 09:53 AM.*

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03-03-2018, 09:21 AM	#46
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	So... you still believe that they'd use the highest grade sealing on the cheapest lenses, with the lowest grade sealing reserved for high-end lenses?

03-03-2018, 09:53 AM - 1 Like	#48
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Sorry, I couldn't help it But you can deduce the serious part of my answer: AW is their high grade weather sealing (used in lenses like the DAs and D FAs) while WR is their "lesser", drip-proof sealing used in less expensive products. The 18-50 is a WR lens, too. And yes, they do say that WR is their "lesser" sealing, somewhere on their website (can't remember where though).

03-03-2018, 11:04 AM - 4 Likes	#49
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by Erictator X Originally posted by Kunzite ... somewhere on their website (can't remember where though). https://www.ricoh.co.in/sites/www.ricoh.co.in/files/lens.pdf "AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel. The next category of “all weather” PENTAX lenses is designated as WR or weather-resistant. These affordable lenses utilize a simplified weather-resistant construction, making it more dif cult for water to enter the lens and are designed to repel a light splash of water."

03-03-2018, 11:37 AM	#50
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,345	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox https://www.ricoh.co.in/sites/www.ricoh.co.in/files/lens.pdf "AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel. The next category of “all weather” PENTAX lenses is designated as WR or weather-resistant. These affordable lenses utilize a simplified weather-resistant construction, making it more dif cult for water to enter the lens and are designed to repel a light splash of water." It's not like I didn't believe you guys, but thanks for finding it. All I was trying to convey was the lack of obvious tell tales on the DA*300 lens with the well hidden black o-ring. To be fair, you have to admit, Pentax marketing sucks... the words AW or any mention of weather or dust sealing for that matter is not mentioned at all places like here: smc PENTAX-DA? 300mm F4 ED[IF] SDMfr You would think it would be a headliner! Look at that price! Now THAT is a headliner... Almost makes me want to buy a spare. Eric

03-03-2018, 12:08 PM	#51
Cthulhugan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	The release for the DA* 11-18 includes the text “This lens was developed as a ‘new-generation star lens’, which drastically reviewed internal standards in order to respond to future camera performance improvements”. Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”?

03-03-2018, 12:49 PM	#52
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Cthulhugan Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”? Yes they are.

03-03-2018, 01:53 PM	#53
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by totsmuyco I know that image quality is really good. But, it's too heavy. I'd give up some reach to have something lite. If you don't already have the 55-300, shame on you! And so cheap.

03-03-2018, 03:21 PM	#54
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	Originally posted by Cthulhugan The release for the DA* 11-18 includes the text “This lens was developed as a ‘new-generation star lens’, which drastically reviewed internal standards in order to respond to future camera performance improvements”. Could they be embarking on a complete revamp of the DA* line to achieve these “higher standards”? It’s referring to the new highly complex optical designs with ridulculosly small tolerances. Like the DFA* 70-200. So maybe the 16-50 could receive an updated design to make it better. At the moment the rumour is just about upgrading lens motors in certain lenses. They may make them KAF4 as well.

03-03-2018, 08:47 PM - 1 Like	#55
Cthulhugan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	Originally posted by jatrax Yes they are. I phrased that very poorly. I’m wondering if they’ll do it all at once, like with the HD DA Limiteds, or one at a time. It is a rhetorical question, I know, anyone who knows can’t talk, but we can have fun speculating (like about a DA* HD 60-250/4 with revised exit pupil and coatings — I just bought the SMC version, which makes it all the more likely).

03-03-2018, 09:23 PM	#56
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	It would be nice if they can extend the 60-250 to 300. A little more reach would be great.

03-03-2018, 09:43 PM	#57
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by totsmuyco It would be nice if they can extend the 60-250 to 300. A little more reach would be great. No, it's already past 3x zoom, that would just make it worse optically. Add on a 1.4 TC if you must, but even that affects IQ and focusing to a degree.

03-03-2018, 10:57 PM	#58
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	3x the base would make image quality suffer. Hmmm I didn't know that. Thanks clackers.

03-04-2018, 12:35 AM	#59
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by totsmuyco 3x the base would make image quality suffer. Hmmm I didn't know that. Thanks clackers. The upcoming DA*11-18 is going to be very good. It's not even 2x the base.

03-04-2018, 04:53 AM	#60
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	If I have some spare dinero, I'm considering that lens crackers. The problem would be if it's kAF4. I can't use it on my k-5II.